Armenian NSA meets Ajit Doval to strengthen strategic ties

Azerbaijan, which has been in a conflict situation with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, cried foul and raised the matter with the Indian envoy. The head of the department of foreign policy affairs of Azerbaijan Presidential Administration, Hikmat Hajiyev, had raised the matter during a meeting with Indian Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Sridharan Madhusudhanan.

Earlier this year, India, Iran and Armenia had formed a trilateral to explore a transport corridor. During a meeting in Yerevan in April, the three sides discussed economic projects and regional communication channels, outlined the prospects of deepening cultural and people-to-people contacts, as well as trilateral cooperation in various fields.

The three countries had then decided to "continue consultations" in the format. The trilateral meeting also discussed the use of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) as a regional connectivity initiative.


ET had reported in March that Armenia, whose ties with New Delhi are acquiring strategic dimensions, has proposed the Persian Gulf–Black Sea corridor via Iran parallel to the INSTC or part of a new branch of INSTC as a route to connect Indian traders with Russia and Europe.

Meanwhile, India-Azerbaijan ties continue to be lukewarm in the backdrop of Azerbaijan's close security ties with Pakistan. During its NAM presidency, which will conclude by the end of this year, Azerbaijan has often tried to push the Pakistani agenda on Kashmir although NAM is not a platform to discuss bilateral issues.

Interestingly, while both Iran and Azerbaijan are Shia majority countries, Tehran historically enjoys warm ties with Armenia. Iran and Armenia also share an energy partnership. Iran has also been hosting the Armenian diaspora for centuries.